Public urged to help home for the eldery in QC

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) continues to call on the public to take part in efforts to improve its centers and institutions, specifically the Golden Reception and Action Center for the Elderly and Other Special Cases (GRACES) Home for the Elderly in Bago Bantay, Quezon City.

According to DSWD Assistant Secretary for Centers and Institutions and Other Special Directives Lorraine Badoy, the improvement of the Department’s centers and institutions is one of the top priorities of the DSWD.

One of the four residential facilities of the DSWD for the elderly, GRACES is home to about 300 senior citizens who have been neglected and abandoned by their families.

The facility can only accommodate 200 occupants, but the number of its residents has increased as senior citizens rescued from the streets by social workers and Metro Manila local government units are also brought to the center.

The congestion in GRACES has resulted to deprivations for the residents. To date, there are a total of 310 residents there.

For instance, there are no enough medical equipment such as wheelchairs, walkers, and beds.

The DSWD is creating a Crisis Management Team to take over GRACES and Jose Fabella Center. And the Department has joined hands with the private sector, with LGUs, nursing/medical schools and corporations to ensure we give this project our best shot,” Badoy said.

Established in 1968, the facility is popularly known in the past as Golden Acres (now transferred to Tanay, Rizal). It operated under the name GRACES in 2012.